AN experimental drug can lower levels of cholesterol by up to 75 per cent when combined with a statin, researchers have found.

Tests showed that patients given the powerful new jab alongside their normal statin saw a major reduction.

If further studies show patients have fewer heart attacks, it could offer major hope to millions.

Many patients taking a moderate or high-dose statin to protect against heart attacks and stroke are still unable to achieve recommended lower cholesterol goals.

This means that, despite taking the drug, they are still at risk.

Now results of a study published in Jama, the Journal of the American Medical Association, show that given in combination with a statin, the drug evolocumab had a major impact on lowering “bad” cholesterol levels, a major risk for heart disease.

This was a relatively short study so further research needs to be carried out to assess the safety of these additional treatments

Julie Ward, of the British Heart Foundation

The research was carried out by Dr Jennifer Robinson of the University of Iowa.